Huge rescue effort involving helicopter and Whitstable RNLI crew in search for ‘missing’ kayaker off Sheppey
11:26, 26 July 2023
updated: 12:42, 26 July 2023
A helicopter and two rescue teams were involved in a huge search following reports a kayaker had capsized near a beach.
The RNLI Whitstable lifeboat was launched last night (July 25) after hearing a fishing vessel had recovered an inflatable kayak in The Swale, off Shellness Beach, Sheppey.
It had been reported the kayak had been seen earlier near Leysdown with one person onboard.
Launching shortly before 6.30pm, the lifeboat searched the area, including as far as Conyer Creek.
It then returned to Shellness Beach and continued to search the shore at Leysdown.
The hunt also involved the Sheppey Coastguard Rescue Team and the coastguard helicopter from Lydd.
After about an hour-and-a-half of searching, the Dover coastguard was informed people onshore had seen a person, believed to be a young male, fall from the craft and swim to the shore at Leysdown.
After further investigations were made, the Whitstable Lifeboat and the coastguard helicopter were stood down.
